Investigating The Influence Of The Target Culture On Efl Learners' Identity

Résumé: Culture in foreign language classes has always been the concern of linguists, researchers, and teachers. Researchers such as Kramsch, Hymes and Brown have examined whether it should be taught explicitly or implicitly, whether it should be integrated in language classes or not, and whether the target culture has a positive or negative impact on identity among other concerns. This research aims at investigating the influence of the target culture on English as a foreign language learners? identity. A descriptive study is conducted to compare English majors to Law majors? identity traits to find out whether the target culture plays a role in shaping the identity of those studying its language in terms of beliefs, aptitude and personality. After analyzing and interpreting the findings, results have shown that English foreign language learners certainly have different identity traits than their peers of the same age and background studying a different major. Their identities are greatly affected in the matter of tolerance, independence, openness, autonomy as well as their taste in music; moreover, some aspects are fairly influenced such as learners? religious beliefs, artistic beliefs, in addition to their way of greeting. However, aspects like logical aptitude, motivation, tendencies to read, and their political beliefs about gender equality are not affected by the target culture. Students of English are impressed by the target culture's lifestyle and mindset, so they aspire to change their own culture which results in a change in their identities.

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